Designation strip assembly

ABSTRACT

A designation strip assembly comprises an elongated straight base portion having an outer face between shouldered sides. The outer face may have a concave portion adjacent each shouldered side and a gently convex surface longitudinally between the concave portions. A self-supporting, channel-shaped, springable, transparent cover strip is attached to overlie the outer face of the base portion and has flanges with beaded locking edge portions engageable along the shouldered sides for locking the cover strip against the base. The cover strip web curves gently to conform to the convex part of the base outer face. The cover strip may be progressively sprung to the base along the shouldered base sides and may be progressively removed by springing therefrom. An indicia bearing designation strip is normally carried along the inside face of the cover strip and is wide enough to be retained between the flanges of the cover strip.

United States Patent [72] Inventor James R. Bailey Chicagmlll. [21] AppLNo 833,038 [22] Filed .lune13,1969 [45] Patented Aug. 10, 1971 {73] Assignee SwitchcraltJnc.

Chicago,lll.

[54] DESIGNATION STRIP ASSEMBLY 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[56] RefereneesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,863,633 6/1932 Melind... 40/10X 2,317,192 4/1943 l-lopp 40/16.2 2,353,469 7/1944 l-lopp... 40/16.2 2,362,273 11/1944 Hopp... 40/162 2,730,825 1/1956 Wilds 40/162 2,827,718 Howard 40/166 Assistant Examiner-Y. enceslao J. Contreras .4ll0rney Robert L Kahn ABSTRACT: A designation strip assembly comprises an elongated straight base portion having an outer face between shouldered sides. The outer face may have a concave portion adjacent each shouldered side and a gently convex surface longitudinally between the concave portions. A self-supporting, channel-shaped, springable, transparent cover strip is attached to overlie the outer face of the base portion and has flanges with beaded locking edge portions engageable along the shouldered sides for locking the cover strip against the base. The cover strip web curves gently to conform to the convex part of the base outer face. The cover strip may be progressively sprung to the base along the shouldered base sides and may be progressively removed by springing therefrom. An indicia bearing designation strip is normally carried along the inside face of the cover strip and is wide enough to be retained between the flanges of the cover strip.

Patented Aug 10, 1971 v 3,597,867

lnve'nror JAMES R. BAILEY ATTY.

' support.

DESIGNATION STRIP ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a designation strip assembly which Y may be readily applied to a panel or suitable support. Panels containing jacks, switches, terminals, lamps, etc., often require designation strips for identification purposes. Such strips should have transparent, easily cleanable, covers for protection, and should be easily changed when desired. In addition, an assembly supporting designation strip material should be easily cut to required length from longer lengths, and be susceptible to ready attachment to a panel orother The assembly embodying the present invention comprises three physically separate components, each one of which may have an indefinite length. One component is a base portion generally of metal or plastic of sufficient thickness to be reasonably strong. The base portion may be attached to a panel or other rigid support by small screws, cement, or any desired means or may be integral with the support. Thebase portion has along its length an outer face, part of which is formed by shoulders extending laterally from the sides of the base portion. Transversely of the base strip and extending between the longitudinal shoulders, the outer 'base face presents a centrally disposed convex region bounded on each side by a concave region.

Cooperating with the base portion is a generally channelshaped, springable, transparent cover strip whose web may be flat but is preferably curved and has flanges shaped to provide beaded locking edge portions extending longitudinally of such cover strip. The cover strip and base portion are so dimensioned and the cover strip material is selected with regard to strength as to permit a cover strip to be progressively sprung along the outer face over the shouldered base. Conversely, the cover strip may be sprung free progressively along the lengththereof. The cover strip is adapted to normally retain a thin designation strip between the locking edgeportions, such. designation strip carrying suitable, identification material: thereon.

" The fit between the cover strip and base portion of an assembly is sufficiently tight and the friction between the base andlocking portion materials is such that it is usually difficult tionstrip. Since neither the designationstripnor; the locking. strip will follow the concave contour of the base face,.this makes it possible to startpeeling the lockingstripfree'fro'm. the base strip at one end of. such locking strip. The initiation of such a peeling action may be accomplished:byinserting'aflngemail or the pointed tip of a letter opener. An additional advantage of such longitudinal clearance regions between the base, and adjacent surface ofthe designationstrip is that air relief passages are provided making it easier. to lock or-release the locking strip and designation strip with respect .to the base portion.

The invention will now be describedin connection withl drawingswherein:

FIG. [is a perspective view, with some parts broken away,

illustrating an embodiment of the invention mountedton apanel board.

FIG. 2 is a transverse section on'line 2-2 of Figure. l;

Figure3 is a plan viewof a part'of the designation strip assembly of FIGS. land 2 attached to'a-panel support.

FIG. 4"is a perspective detail illustrating a modification-of the designation strip assembly mounting attached to asupport.

The novel designation strip assembly embodying the present invention includes base portion 10 which may be attached to or integral with a support or panel containing desired devices requiring identification. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, base portion 10 has countersunk mounting apertures 10a at spaced intervals along its length. Such apertures permit the mounting of base 10 against panel structure 10b by means of screws Me. The countersinking is at front or outer face 12 so that the screwhead may be flush with respect to face 12. Base 10 has flat rear face 11 which will fit against the flat face of panel structure 10b. Apertures 10a in base I0 are small enough to avoid undue weakening of base 10 and are disposed at appropriate intervals along the strip length. As is apparent from the shape of base 10, apertures are disposed at the thickest part of base 10.

Panel 10b carries a row of jacks as an example and a row of pushbutton switches, each of which may require identificatlon.

Base portion 10 may be extruded in desired lengths'from aluminum brass, plastic, .etc. Base portion 10, has outer face [2 preferably so shaped as to provide centrally disposed convex portion 14 and laterally offset concave portions 15 and I6 bordering sides 18 and 19 of base 10. As an example, base portion I0 may have a width between sides 18 and 19 of the order of about one-fourth inch, but this is exemplary only and may be larger or smaller. Concave portions 15 and 16 are r,

shown in magnified form. Generally, convex base portion I4 takes up about one-half of the width between base sides 18 and 19 although this ratio isnot important. The concave portions 15 and 16 bordering convex base portion 14 are shallow, with respect to the convex base portion, the shape and depth of such concave face portions being otherwise unimportant. The shape of the entire outer face I2 of base portion 10 is such that any self-support ing material extending over convex face portion 14 will normally not follow the concave contours of the base outer face inthe widthswhich would normally be used.

Cooperatingwithbase portion 10 is locking strip 22 having the general shape of achannel provided with web 23 and flanges24 and 2S. Locking strip'22 is preferably of transparentplastic extruded to the desiredshape. Locking strip 22 may. have web 23substantially normally flat between flanges 24' and 25 or normally curved or bowed, in the direction shown inFIG. 2. Flanges 24 and 25 have beaded locking edges 26 and 27, the beads-extending toward each other. The depth of flanges 24 and-25 and the width of web 23 are selected so that a locking strip 22 will snugly fit in interlocked relation over theshouldered'sides of base portion 10. By selecting the proper material for locking strip 22 and having appropriate thickness ofweb and flanges, it is possible to provide a locking strip which-can be sprung into locked position over the outer face of a. length of base portion or may be sprung free therefrom.

As-an=example, locking strip22'may be of cellulose acetate butyrate of'commercialgrade. Where base portion l0'has a transversedimensionof about one-fourth inch between sides l8-'andl9,.the thickness of web 22 may be about 0.025 of an inch and the radius of curvature of web 23 may be about three-tenths of an inch. Flanges 24 and 25 may have a thickness of about 0.02 inches with beaded edges 26 and 27 extending inwardlytoward each other about 0.0l inch to about 0.03 inch beyond the inside flange surface. These dimensions are not critical and may be varied within wide limits depending upon the thickness and nature of the locking 7 strip material,- and the strength of locking grip to be provided.

The normal curvature of web 23 may be somewhat sharper than the curvature of convex portion 14 of base 10 although this is not important. In fact, the normal curvature of web 23' maybe less thanthat of convex portion 14 of base 10 or web 23'may be normally flat.

In general, the mechanical properties of the locking strip are such that thespringingaction required for application to orremoval from the outer face of base portion 10 should be well within the elastic limits of the locking strip material.

When the two are locked together, the grip of the locking strip upon the base strip will be tight.

Normally disposed between the locking strip and base strip is designation strip 32 of any suitable material. Designation strip 32 may be of thick paper or such material as white vinylite or other plastic which can take markings. For example, a thickness of about 0.01 inch for the designation strip may be selected, and the width of the strip is such that it will lie between flanges 24 and 25 of the locking strip. By having the proper width of designation strip 32, a reasonably thick designation strip will be tightly locked between the base portion and locking strip 22 against longitudinal movement. In addition, such designation strip will remain in slidable position relative to the locking strip if the locking strip is free of the base.

The locking strip and designation strip may be readily cut to desired length by means of a scissors and by having a suitable finish on the designation strip, any desired markings may be applied thereto.

Base portion 10 of a designation strip assembly may be supported on a panel structure in a variety of ways. FIG. 4 shows base portion 10' integral with support portion 10d to provide an L-shaped support bar. It is possible to have support portion 10d extend from the middle part of base portion 10 to provide a T-shaped support bar. Any other support bar shape may be provided. The support bar structure is attached to a panel structure 10b in suitable fashion. If the support bar is adjacent the top of panel structure 10d, as shown in FIG. 4, support portion 10d is bolted thereto at regions 10c. Panel structure 10b may have its top portion undercut so that the top surface 10d of support portion 10d is substantially flush with edge portion We of panel structure 10b. As illustrated in FIG. 4, panel structure 10b is undercut in the front at 10f. Thus base portion 10 can fit snugly to provide a finished front view of a designation strip assembly on a panel.

Any one of a number of clear plastic materials may be used for locking strip 22. Thus butyrates, high-density polyvinyl chloride and other materials are available in transparent form and have desirable elastic properties which render such materials useful as a locking strip in an assembly embodying the present invention. Since such plastic materials have different characteristics of strength, elasticity and the like, it will be understood that the dimensional requirements for a locking strip may vary somewhat with the nature of the material used. Also the surface characteristics of the plastic, such as its coef ficient of friction with respect to the material of which base 10 is made, may have to be considered. The material specified for locking strip 22 is merely exemplary of a commercially available material having desirable properties when used with extruded base metal such as aluminum where base 10 is separate from a panel as 10b.

Substantial variations may be made in the construction of the designation strip assembly without departing from the scope of the invention except as defined by the appended claims.

What] claim is:

l. A designation strip assembly including an elongated base portion of relatively rigid material of indefinite length having sides longitudinally thereof and having a suitable thickness, said base portion extending in straight lines along the length thereof and being symmetrical with respect to a base portion center plane extending along the base portion length, said base portion having an outer face along the length thereof part of which is formed by shoulders extending laterally from the sides of the base portion, said base portion outer face having a concave portion adjacent each shouldered part and extending along the length of the base portion, a channel-shaped locking strip of transparent springable material of indefinite length, said locking strip having its web portion dimensioned to extend transversely across the outer face of the base portion and having flange portions terminating in continuous beading, the flanges being dimensioned to extend over the base portion shoulders with the beading located below thebase portion shoulders for locking action, said locking strip bemg thin enough and having sufficient elasticity so that it can be pressed into or peeled out of locking engagement progressively along the entire length of said locking strip, said'locking strip accommodating, between its flanges at the outer face of said base portion, a flexible designation strip carrying desired markings, a designation strip being normally insertable in or removable from a locking strip only when the latter is free of the base portion, said locking strip and designation strip being cuttable to desired length by scissors, said concave portions taking up a small part of the base portion width whereby initiation, at an end of the locking strip, of removal of such strip from a base portion'is facilitated.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said base portion outer face has a convex shape between each concave portion.

3. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said locking strip is of cellulose acetate butyrate.

4. The construction according to claim 1 wherein a length of markable designation strip is carried between the flanges of said locking strip.

5. A designation strip assembly including an elongated base portion of relatively rigid material of indefinite length having sides longitudinally thereof and having a suitable thickness, said base portion extending in straight lines along the length thereof and being symmetrical with respect to a base portion center plane extending along the base portion length, said base portion having an outer face along the length thereof part of which is formed by shoulders extending laterally from the sides of the base portion, a channel-shaped locking strip of transparent springable material of indefinite length, said locking strip having its web portion dimensioned to extend transversely across the outer face of the base portion and having flange portions terminating in continuous beading, the flanges being dimensioned to extend over the base portion shoulders with the beading located below the base portion shoulders for locking action, said locking strip being thin enough and having sufficient elasticity so that it can be pressed into or peeled out of locking engagement progressively along the entire length of said locking strip, said locking strip accomodating, between its flanges at the outer face of said base portion, a flexible designation strip carrying desired markings; a designation strip being normally insertable in or removable from a locking strip only when the latter is free of the base portion, said locking strip and designation strip being cuttable to desired length by scissors and being applicable to y or removable from a base portion as a unit.

6. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said locking strip web has a thickness of the order of about 0.025 inches.

7. The construction according to claim 5 wherein the con tinuous beading along the locking strip flanges extend toward each other beyond the inside flange surfaces.

8. The construction according to claim 5 wherein the continuous beading has a thickness greater than the thickness of the flange.

9. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said locking strip web has a thickness of the order of about 0.025 inches; wherein the continuous beading has a thickness greater than the flange thickness and extend toward each other beyond the inside flange surfaces.

10. The construction according to claim 5 in combination with a length of markable designation strip disposed between the flanges of such locking strip. 

1. A designation strip assembly including an elongated base portion of relatively rigid material of indefinite length having sides longitudinally thereof and having a suitable thickness, said base portion extending in straight lines along the length thereof and being symmetrical with respect to a base portion center plane extending along the base portion length, said base portion having an outer face along the length thereof part of which is formed by shoulders extending laterally from the sides of the base portion, said base portion outer face having a concave portion adjacent each shouldered part and extending along the length of the base portion, a channel-shaped locking strip of transparent springable material of indefinite length, said locking strip having its web portion dimensioned to extend transversely across the outer face of the base portion and having flange portions terminating in continuous beading, the flanges being dimensioned to extend over the base portion shoulders with the beading located below the base portion shoulders for locking action, said locking strip being thin enough and having sufficient elasticity so that it can be pressed into or peeled out of locking engagement progressively along the entire length of said locking strip, said locking strip accommodating, between its flanges at the outer face of said base portion, a flexible designation strip carrying desired markings, a designation strip being normally insertable in or removable from a locking strip only when the latter is free of the base portion, said locking strip and designation strip being cuttable to desired length by scissors, said concave portions taking up a small part of the base portion width whereby initiation, at an end of the locking strip, of removal of such strip from a base portion is facilitated.
 2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said base portion outer face has a convex shape between each concave portion.
 3. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said locking strip is of cellulose acetate butyrate.
 4. The construction according to claim 1 wherein a length of markable designation strip is carried between the flanges of said locking strip.
 5. A designation strip assembly including an elongated base portion of relatively rigid material of indefinite length having sides longitudinally thereof and having a suitable thickness, said base portion extending in straight lines along the length thereof and being symmetrical with respect to a base portion center plane extending along the base portion length, said base portion having an outer face along the length thereof part of which is formed by shoulders extending laterally from the sides of the base portion, a channel-shaped locking strip of transpArent springable material of indefinite length, said locking strip having its web portion dimensioned to extend transversely across the outer face of the base portion and having flange portions terminating in continuous beading, the flanges being dimensioned to extend over the base portion shoulders with the beading located below the base portion shoulders for locking action, said locking strip being thin enough and having sufficient elasticity so that it can be pressed into or peeled out of locking engagement progressively along the entire length of said locking strip, said locking strip accommodating, between its flanges at the outer face of said base portion, a flexible designation strip carrying desired markings; a designation strip being normally insertable in or removable from a locking strip only when the latter is free of the base portion, said locking strip and designation strip being cuttable to desired length by scissors and being applicable to or removable from a base portion as a unit.
 6. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said locking strip web has a thickness of the order of about 0.025 inches.
 7. The construction according to claim 5 wherein the continuous beading along the locking strip flanges extend toward each other beyond the inside flange surfaces.
 8. The construction according to claim 5 wherein the continuous beading has a thickness greater than the thickness of the flange.
 9. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said locking strip web has a thickness of the order of about 0.025 inches; wherein the continuous beading has a thickness greater than the flange thickness and extend toward each other beyond the inside flange surfaces.
 10. The construction according to claim 5 in combination with a length of markable designation strip disposed between the flanges of such locking strip.
 2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said base portion outer face has a convex shape between each concave portion.
 3. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said locking strip is of cellulose acetate butyrate.
 4. The construction according to claim 1 wherein a length of markable designation strip is carried between the flanges of said locking strip.
 5. A designation strip assembly including an elongated base portion of relatively rigid material of indefinite length having sides longitudinally thereof and having a suitable thickness, said base portion extending in straight lines along the length thereof and being symmetrical with respect to a base portion center plane extending along the base portion length, said base portion having an outer face along the length thereof part of which is formed by shoulders extending laterally from the sides of the base portion, a channel-shaped locking strip of transpArent springable material of indefinite length, said locking strip having its web portion dimensioned to extend transversely across the outer face of the base portion and having flange portions terminating in continuous beading, the flanges being dimensioned to extend over the base portion shoulders with the beading located below the base portion shoulders for locking action, said locking strip being thin enough and having sufficient elasticity so that it can be pressed into or peeled out of locking engagement progressively along the entire length of said locking strip, said locking strip accommodating, between its flanges at the outer face of said base portion, a flexible designation strip carrying desired markings; a designation strip being normally insertable in or removable from a locking strip only when the latter is free of the base portion, said locking strip and designation strip being cuttable to desired length by scissors and being applicable to or removable from a base portion as a unit.
 6. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said locking strip web has a thickness of the order of about 0.025 inches.
 7. The construction according to claim 5 wherein the continuous beading along the locking strip flanges extend toward each other beyond the inside flange surfaces.
 8. The construction according to claim 5 wherein the continuous beading has a thickness greater than the thickness of the flange.
 9. The construction according to claim 5 wherein said locking strip web has a thickness of the order of about 0.025 inches; wherein the continuous beading has a thickness greater than the flange thickness and extend toward each other beyond the inside flange surfaces.
 10. The construction according to claim 5 in combination with a length of markable designation strip disposed between the flanges of such locking strip. 